Supporting clamp



L. H. Dr-:s lsLES SUPPORTING CLAMP Oct. 16, 1934.

Filed April 22, 19315A f/WENT@ 1 05%@ vPatented Oct. 16, 1934 UNITED STATE s'UrroR'rlNG CLAMF Leonard H. Des Isles, Chicago, Ill. l Application April 22, y1933, serial No; 667,373

s claims. y (c1. i5-'15)l My invention relates primarily to `a supporting clamp to enable such utensils as the hand-operated meat and food grinder and other similarly attachable devices to be firmly, safely and conveniently clamped for use to the articles of furniture, shelving or other supports to be found in the modern kitchen, pantry, or home] In such places where porcelain-enamele topped tables and built-in cupboards'and shelves prevail, there is ordinarily, and in fact almost invariably, unsatisfactory or possible place to clamp such utensils and devices, even though their use is in frequent demand. Y In the case of built-in shelves, the projecting edge or ledge is frequently'tooV short or narrow to accommodate the lower jaw of the'clamp of the utensil or to permit its clamping screw to obtain a suitable seat thereon. In some instances, the lower edge ofthe ledge is curved inwardly for ornamental purposes,'but this narrows Vvthe available gripping space on said lower edge and prevents itsv use for the desired purpose. In others, a molding strip is tted beneath the ledge, which also prevents clampingl and in still others the vertical structure beneath the ledge prevents turning of the clamping nut, which necessarily has extended wings, so lthat the utensil'cannot be attached thereto.

In the case of porcelain-enamel topped tables and shelves, the lnish is practically certain to be injured by directly clamping the device thereto. Such clamping jaws are usually ofmetal. They chip or scratch the nnish in applying and on the surface in the .use of the utensil and thus ing the desired results of enabling such utensils and devices tol be readily and firmly secured toy any such available support or to any finely finished surface, such as those of dining tables, desks, etc.,` without damage or injury to the surfaces and without excessivetightening of the clamping Incarrying out my objects and invention, I provide a supporting clamp between the utensil and support having means for enabling it to be easily, rmly and safely attached to, and as readj ily detached-from, any available supportof the detaching the same. They tend to slip and twistA character described, andl having a projecting clamp-receiving portion or ledge for the proper andready reception of the clamping members of the utensil and providing ample room for vmanipulating its clamping screw.

-VVVV`This-supporting clamp is preferably made of non-metallic material, or with non-metallic contact surfaces, to prevent injury to the surfaces towhich it is'tobe attached, and is provided with a plurality of spaced attachingiclamps whereby tojdivide the necessary clamping effect between them-and the better to resist 'the twisting or torsional strainsv on the devicewhen the utensil attached theretois being operated. Also, the body or base portionof the clamp which is positioned on the shelf or surface to which the utensilis to be secured affords preferably a large contact area without sharp points or ridgesv which would tend to indent, scratch orv mar the surface, and which extended area offers frictionalresistance to. turning, particularly at points remote from the4 clamping center of the utensil aboutY which such turning and twisting effects Vare exerted. l Y

' The kbodyfor b ase portion ,may serve also as'a support `or`rest forthe dish or receptacle into which the grinder or like device discharges or as a support 'for vthe extended body or frame of the utensiLif it is of that type.

The projecting ledge of the supporting clamp to which the utensil is adapted to be clamped affords room for the edge-gripping clamps and the operating means of the device itself, one on either side of the utensili clamping space, whereby the same may effectively grip.` even a narrow lower edge and thus flrmlysecure'the unit'and utensil in places-and to supports otherwise not usable for the desired purpose.l K

` Furthermore the utensil clamping portion is preferablynon-metallic and more or less yielding, like wood, which enables the metal clamp and screw of the utensil to be rmly seated and gripped thereonwithout excessive tightening of the clamping screw. 'f

,The unit as a Whole presents a neat appearance and is comparatively cheap to` manufacture.` i

Further objects and advantages will. appear" fromthe detailedldesoription and claims to follow in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates an embodiment of the invention, and inxwhich: I Y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device with a conventional meat, grinder attached thereto and the vunit attached'tofthenarrow edge of a support, such as the shelf of a built-in cabinet or cupboard;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supporting clamp viewed from its underside;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View of the same taken on the plane 3 3 of Fig. 2 and showing the same clamped in position to an enameled-top table or shelf;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view ofthe unit clamped to another type of support and Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the same clamped to still another type of support.

Referring to the drawing, the supporting clamp comprises a base plate of suitable size and material adapted to be secured on the-top of a table, shelf, or other support, a portion of said plate preferably comprising an upper clamping means and the remaining portion providing anV overhanging ledge or edge extending beyond the edge of the support, to which edge the utensil may be clamped. This plate is preferably of wood, which will not injure the enameled top of the table or shelf, and is of suflicient size to provide ample contact area and gripping surface with the support, and of sufficient strength rigidly to support the utensil. I havefound that such a plate approximately 5/8 in. thick, 6 in. wide, and 7% or 8 in. long, with the other parts inv proportion, gives good results, but do not wish to be confined to these dimensions.

In order that this plate may be easily and properly secured to the support to. withstand, .the strainsput upon it and be held `firmly in position on smooth surfaces even though the securing ledge is narrow, I provide the plate 10 Vwith lower vclamping means, such as the jaws or members 11 which are supported and operated from the extended or overhanging end of the base plate 10 to cooperate with the clamping portion there-A of, and the free ends of which members 11 extend inwardly a substantial distance and form gripping means to engage the underside ofthe ledge or edge of the support. By this means'even a comparatively narrow ledge on the support afvfords a good gripping hold Lfor theclamping members while their operating means is vriotinterfered with by the adjacent structure of the support, and full advantage is taken of the entire width of the narrow ledge by the end grips of the clamps. Obviously the farther in from the edge of the table or support the clamps take hold, the firmer will the plate 10 be clampedto the top.

These lower clamping members l1, also preferably of wood, are fulcrumed at their outer or forward ends on the outer edge of the filler member 12 between the base plate 10 and said lower clamping members, the ller block or mem-ber 12 being suitably secured, as by screws 13, tov the lower face of the projecting end of supporting if clamping unit is properly positioned onY the support; and the stop 12 also assists in preventingthe turning and twisting of the unit in the 'use of the utensil. Such member 12 being likewise preferably of wood, the edge 3of the-support is r' protected from being chipped or scratched. Moreover, the said member affords a seat for the as hereinafter declamping screw of the utensil, scribed.

These lower clamping members 11 are suitably operated as by thumb-nuts 14 threaded on the` lower ends of bolts 15 which pass through the plate 10 and member 12 near its inner edge and through suitable slots 16 in the members 11. These bolts, nuts and slots prevent the clamps 11 from becoming separated when the unit is not attached to the support. A pin 1'7 projecting from the bearing member 12 into a suitable opening in the inner face of the clamping member 11 preventsthe latter fromturning on the bolt 15 or getting out of position at any time.

The lower face of the member 12 above the clamps 11 is bevelled or slanted as at 18 to per- `mit freedom of closing movement of the clamps 1l to accommodate them to different thicknesses of support. The washers 19 beneath the thumbnuts 14 are concave to afford a suitable bearing for the nuts when tightened regardless of the pitch or slant of the clamping members 11.

The clamps 11 are spaced apart as far as possible within the limits of the device, the better to resist the turning and twisting effects on the plate which are mainly exerted at the clamping axis of the kutensil which is between the two clamping members.

. As before referred to, the overhanging end of the base plate or that portion extending beyond the clamp-ing portion thereof forms a projecting ledge or edge to which the utensil sought to be used maybe conveniently secured. Though integral in this instance with the plate 10, this projecting ledge constitutes a comparatively narrow member adapted to be positioned at the edgev edge of the top or the like and enables the same.

tobe rigidly and firmly secured thereto. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, and with the dimensions hereinbefore mentioned, this comparatively narrow member which extends or projects beyond the edge of the table or other support is approximately 11/2 in. or 2 in. in width, andit is a width of that general order or proportion which is contemplated herein by the use of thatexpression. vThe utensil is clamped to this comparatively'narrow lmember. To enable this to be done with greater facility in the embodiment shown the lower face of the spacer or filler member 12 in the particular dimensions and proportions of the unit shown, is cut away as at 20 to accommodate the conventional clamp` of such utensils. 'I'hese clamps being of metal and the members 10 and 12 being of wood and therefore more or less compressible, a very secure clamping ofthe utensil to the unit is possible and may be obtained without applying excessive effort to the clamping nut. Moreover, the distance from the vertical structure of the table, shelf, or other support is such that the convenient turning of the clamping screw of the utensil is not obstructed.

In Fig. 1, the supporting clamp is shown attached to the shelf 21 of a built-in structure of common type in which the shelf has but a narrow projecting edge 22 on the underside. A conventional food grinder 23, such as that shown, could not be attached directly to such a shelf, but as indicated is readily clamped to the supporting clamp. The upper clamping jaws of the utensil rest on vthe topof the projecting portion of supporting plate 10, and its clamping screw threading through its lower lateral projection readily seats on the portion 20 of the member 12 of the unit. The wings 24 of this clamping thumb screw, although widely extended, have ample room for turning and are not obstructed in their manipusie.:

lation bythe vertical struturef'beneath'the 'shelf or top `21. The'utensil issthusrmly supported bythe clamp. ff v I .A dish or receptacle '25efor the material fdis charged from .the grinder maybe placed Lon: the p1a`te'10,'or if the frame ofthe utensil 'extendsinwardly it may find support on the bodyl of platel. In' Fig;I 3 the fclamp'is shown' attached toan enameled-top table .orl shelf of common. construe# tion. Inthis the enamel-coated 'sheet metal-top 25 has a slightly raised -portio'nz around'the edge and ts over a wood top 27, erover a suitable Wood framework. Owing" to the fact that the `supporting clampfis vmade of wood or other-material having non-metallic surfaces' liable to Contact with' theenamel iinish offthe'top, there-'is'no danger of nicking, cracking or scratching-the finish; li/Ioreover,- theclai'nping pressure 7on the-enameled surface is not concentrated as at 'a' singlefclainp' but is spread over a considerable areaby the plate 10 andtheref'ore does'not injure' the enamel finish.'- It will be noted also that the-inner end of the plate 10 is brought into contact with the top 25, this being brought about or assisted by the engagement of the clamps l1 at their inner ends with the underside of the table top at a substantial distance inwardly from the edge. This causes the plate 10 to clamp down upon the top surface at its inner end as well as at the raised portion 26.

'I This also assists in securing lateral stability of the device.

Fig. 4 shows the supporting clamp attached to a table top or other support which has an ordinary molded edge. Here again the plate 10 is L held firmly in position by the clamp members l1,

so that a utensil may be secured thereto without injury to the iinished surface.

Fig. 5 shows the clamp attached to a square edged top or support with. narrow ledge. This also affords a secure mounting for the clamping support which may be used in any desired manner or for any desired purpose without injury to the finish of the support.

The clamping unit thus provided may be readily attached to and detached from any convenient support, such as those referred to or others, and the utensil may be easily clamped thereto or removed therefrom. The device is neat and trim appearing, does not take up much space, and is "Icomparatively cheap to manufacture. It is obvious that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as sought to be deiined in the ap- I pended claims.

I claim:

l. In a device oi the character described, the combination with a flat wood base adapted to be positioned on the top of a table or the like and forming one member of la clamp, said base projecting at one edge beyond the edge of the top, of

the same, and a thumb nut threaded on the end of each bolt, whereby to tighten said clamping members against the under side of the top and clamp the said base on the tcp, said strip being Afashioned between said clamps to receive the clamping means of a utensil.

' 25.1 A .detachable supporting' clamp' to spport a clamped kitchen utensil, comprising a member adapted to-bepositioned on' the topi-surface of a tablelor the vlikebthe' major portion'oi said member adapted to' 'overlie said top andlhavingla utensil' and lclarllpng lllortoiV i extend-i ing be'jlror'id but `adjacent"theedge of thetop subfstannanyf me Width.l ofgrheuterrso ei-ampyfspadclampingmeinbers carried lby said member and adapted to engagevtl'iejunderside` of thetopvin- Wardly from-but near Y the edge' firmly to fclamp the saidflmemberto the top, said 'extendingH pornon enabling the" utensil` to be positioned '.a'dja.: cent the edge ofthe top' While providing v'room for thereception of its clamping vise' and the manipulation of its clamping 1 nieansi` 3. A` detachable supporting clamp comprising a clamping vplate adaptedl'to fb'e positioned on the top ofaftable' or 'they like," said vpleite `projecting beyond theed'ge of the ftppto` provide a utensil attaching i andsupporting' Iriernber,l la A'transverse memberv secured 'tof the under Y side of v Vsaid plate' and serving to position the plate on the top and forming a portion of the utenn'l .attaching member, spaced clamp-ing members fulcrumed toward the outer lower edge of said transverse positioning member and extend-ing inwardly to engage the under side of the top ait points inwardly from but near the edge, and means to tighten said clamping members to clamp said plate firmly and rigidly to the top, the position of the utensilattaching member aording roo-m for the convenient positioning of the clamps of both the supporting member :and the utensil and the manipulation of their clamping means unobstructed by the lower `strucfln-re 'of the table or other support.

4. A detachable supporting clamp comprising a clamping plate adapted to -be positioned on the top of a table or the like, said plate projecting beyond the edge of the top, a transverse member secured to lthe under side of said projecting portion vand serving to position the plate with reference to the top, said projecting portion and said member forming a utensil attaching and supporting member to position the utensil adjacent 120 the edge of the table, spaced clamping members fulcrumed adjacent the outer edge of said transverse projecting portion and extending rearwardly to engage the under side of the top inwardly from but near the edge, tightening bolts passing loosely through said clamping members, and wing nuts on said bolts engaging said members to tighten the same to clamp said plate to the top, the position of said clamps :and'bolts and the utensil-receiving member affording room for the tightening and loosening of the clamping ldevices of both the support :and utensil to enable the same to be firmly attached to a narrow projecting ledge of the top Without interference with the 'structure therebeneath. v

5. A detachable supporting clamp oomprising a plate adapted to 4be positioned on the top of Aa table or like support, said plate extending only suiiciently beyond the edge of the topI to provide a comparatively narrow projecting ledge, spaced 1'40 clamping members carried by said extension and engageable with the under side of the top to clamlp the plate firmly to the top, said extension being adapted to receive the clamping or securing means of a utensil between said spaced clamping members, the said ledge permitting the positionlng and attachment of the utensil adjacent the edge of the top while affording room for manipulation of the clamp operating means of both utensil and supporting clamp.

VII

6.(A detachablev clampingl support vforjkitchen utensils comprising a comparatively 4`narrow member having provision for the ready andj secure receptionof the clampingl visesothe utensils to position them at the edge of a table top or the like, said member overlying and gripping the top surface of the table topor the like, lat.- erally spaced lowervclamping means carried by` said member and projecting forwardly to grip the lower side of the projecting ledge of the top or-the like near the outer edge of the same, whereby the utensil may be supportedadjacent the edge of the top andfthe clamping operating means of both the utensil and the supporting clamp are unobstructed by the adjacent vertical supporting portions of the structure of the table or the like. v l Y 7. `A supporting clamp comprisinga substantially rectangular wood plate or base adapted to be placed on the top of a table or the like with an edge portion extending over the edge of the top, a transverse member secured to the under side of the extended edge portion to position the clamp on the top, said extending portion and member carrying clamping means engageable with the under side of tthe top near the edge to clamp the plate firmly to the top and forming a support for receiving and securing the clamping viseof the utensil to the plate and whereby the clamp operating means ,ofV both the supporting clamp and utensil may be readily manipulated Without kobstruction from the adjacent portions of the ltable or other object to which the clamp and utensillare attached.

y8. A detachable supporting clamp to support a clamped kitchen utensil, comprising a member adapted to beV positioned at the edge of the top of a table or the like, the major vportion of said member adapted to O Verlie said Vtop and usedto fonn a. support, said member extending beyond the edge of thetop substantially the Width of thejutensil clamp to receive the latter, and means to clamp the member to the top.

' LEONARD H. DES ISLES. 

